Foldable handle



Jun 4, 1929. G. A. COUNTRYMAN EOLDABLE HANDLE Filed March 14, 1927 It I GUY fi-Bouummnu album Patented June 4, 1929.

UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GNY A. GOUNTRYMAN, OF ASHLAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

ELITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FOLDABLE HANDLE.

Application filed March 14, 1927. Serial No. 175,176.

The present invention relates to foldable handles for vehicle jacks, the ob ect in general being to provide a power-transmitting device which may be unfolded and extended to permit the jack to be operated from a CllS- tance, and which may also be folded compactly together to permit the device to be stored in a small space withthe ack; As constructed, the device embodies jointed sections and means adapted to permit free unfolding movements therebetween and selflocking thereof when unfolded, and the joints are particularly constructed to provide a rigid and stiff handle which Wlll permit a powerful movement to be imparted to the jack mechanism without breaking, buckling or collapsing.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the handle unfolded, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the same handle folded. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View of one joint and the locking means forming part thereof. Figs. 4 and 5, are cross sectional views of the joint on lines 44: and 55 respectively of Fig. 3.

Certain types of vehicle jacks in general use comprise lift screws and gearing and a rotatable operating shaft to which a separate handle may be detachably connected. In some instances the operating shaft is engaged by a handle adapted to sleeve over the shaft, and in other instances the shaft itself has a socket or sleeve extension adapted to receive the handle. The form of connection between the handle and the oper ating shaft of the jack is secondary to this invention, but as exemplified herein the handle comprises a solid rod or connecting section 2 which is square or flat sided to permit its extremity 3 to be introduced into a recess or socket of corresponding shape in the operating shaft of the jack. A ball detent 1 may be carried in one side wall of extremity 3 to effect a locking connection with the shaft, if desired. The opposite end of rod 2 is fastened rigidly within a channeled or U-shaped hinge member 5 by rivets 6, one flat face of the square rod bearing tightly against the flat cross wall 7 of member 5, and the side flanges 88 of member 5 embracing two opposite flat sides of the same rod. Rod 2 extends only part way into one end of channeled member 5, the opposite end being left open to receive the bent end 9 of a second rod or section 10, which may be either round or square in cross section, but shown in the present instance as made of round stock. A hinge pin or bolt 11 extends through the side walls or flanges of hinge member 5 to which the bent end 9 of rod 10 is pivotally connected, and this pivot pin is at one side or in offset relation to the longitudinal axis of both rods 2 and 10. In this way the bent end of rod 10 extends obliquely within and between the flat side walls or flanges 88 of hinge member 5 so that the pivot pin will be relieved of the torsional strains applied to rod 10 and which take place when the handle is rotated to operate the jack. The side flanges 88 of hinge member 8 are made wider in the area of pivot pin 11 to accommodate the angularly-bent end 9, and the outer edges 12 of these flanges are circular in outline, and as shown, eccentric to the pivot pin. These circular edges 12 are notched at the outer end of hinge member 5, and the channeled back of member 5 may be rounded at this point to snugly seat round rod 10 when unfolded into axial coextension with red 2. The notches 14; are located on opposite sides of round rod 10, with their rear corresponding edges 15 in substantially the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis of rod 10 so that a segmental part of the circular bottom edge or flange 1.6 of a locking sleeve or collar 17 on rod 10 may enter the notches 1d and permit overlapping and locking engagement of another segmental part of flange 16 with the curved lip or extension 18 at the outer end of member 5 intermediate the notches, see Fig. 3. This locking result is automatically established by a compression spring 19 sleeved on red 10 between locking collar 17 and offsets or burrs 20 formed in rod 10, and to unlock the hinge parts it is necessary to slide collar 17 upwardly on rod 10 against the pressure of the spring. Thereupon rod 10 may be turned on hinge pin 11 while collar l7 rests upon the curved edges of flanges 8, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Upon folding the sections 2 and 10 completely, as shown in Fig. 2, the edge of locking collar 17 will remain in contact with the flange edges and the friction induced by the compressed spring tends to hold the sections in folded position.

The outer end of round rod 10 is bent at right angles to its main body, and a second locking hinge connection is made therewith for a crank member 21. The hinge member, joint and locking collar for crank member 21 being identical to the one described for sections 2 and 10, similar reference numerals have been applied to similar parts to eliminate repetition and redundancy of description.

What I claim is:

1. A ioldable handle, comprising a bar having a flanged extension, a rod pivotally connected to said extension, the flange oi said extension having a circular notched edge, and a spring-pressed collar upon said rod adapted. to ride over said edge and to enter the notch.

2. A foldable handle, comprising a bar, a channeled member secured to one end of said bar, a rod having a bent end pivoted Within said channeled member, the sides of said channeled member having rounded. edges eccentric to said pivot and formed with notches, and a spring-pressed locking member upon said rod adapted to frictionally engage said edges and seat Within said notches.

3. A foldable handle, comprising a bar having a hinge member secured thereto, said member havingv cam-shaped flanges, a rod having one end pivotally confined between said flanges, a locking collar upon said rod adapted to engage said flanges and interlock with the outer extremity of said member when the rod. is unfolded, and a spring sleeved upon said rod bearing against said collar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GUY A. COUNTRYMAN. 

